Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we enjoy, are carefully graded bean. These beans are analyzed according to their size, color, shape and density.

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that fulfill the above criteria, with the exception that they are not allowed to contain more than three defects (quakers). These are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known bean in the entire world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when the goat herder saw his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to try roasting and making the seeds into the beverage we now know and cherish today.

Although a variety of coffee plants exist but there are only two primary species used as the foundation for all our favourite beverages: robusta and arabica. The former is generally considered to be superior to the other, and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are a variety of different arabica cultivars, with every one having their own distinct flavour profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica varieties were developed from these two varieties, either through natural mutations or through deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example was created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The taste of an arabica variety is based on the conditions under the conditions it was cultivated, as well as the method by which it was handled and roasted. For example, the type of shade a tree receives as well as its altitude and soil composition will all play a significant impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee bean shop beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee beans. They are the beans used for the majority of instant coffees and contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used to make many espresso blends - especially for cappuccino, caffe latte and various other coffee drinks.

The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the world. It can thrive at lower elevations and tolerate higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, which makes it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is a great coffee however it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber hints. Many large coffee companies employ arabica bean for their top products since it's regarded as a lower-high quality coffee beans coffee.

The demand for gourmet coffees is increasing, and small roasters are exploring to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that blend with arabica to create the perfect balance of the strength and flavor. The coffees are carefully obtained from Uganda where robusta has been grown for many centuries. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and rarely used throughout the world. They're less than 2% the world's consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked as they don't have the same amount of caffeine. These beans have a unique flavor that many coffee drinkers find irresistible.

Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce, are still quite well-loved in a few parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has historically been very robust, and drinking the cup of coffee after prayer is part of the culture.

The history of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when a global outbreak of coffee leaf rust destroyed the majority of the world's arabica crop. The event prompted coffee makers to search for an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests which makes them the perfect alternative to the ruined arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes, which enabled it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why today the majority of the coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for Types of Coffee Beans coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to earn recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation coffee farmer, these beans have a similar teardrop shape, but are smaller. It's important to understand that, despite the resemblance of family between excelsa and liberica but this is not distinct from either.

It's a bit confusing how excelsa beans should be classified, and it's this confusion that has been at the root of the beans' insignificant presence in the contemporary world of coffee. Many roasters, growers, and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

It's the individual's responsibility to decide if they enjoy the flavor of excelsa. it might take some time to find the perfect blend. The key is to be open-minded and give each type of coffee a try until you discover one you really enjoy. You'll be able to explore the full range of possibilities these unique beans offer. This is an adventure worth taking.